Expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and   expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the manufacture of two-piece cans, comprising body and cover, with the most varied shapes of bodies, enabling expansion by means of various processes through the specific tooling, that expands the format desired to be obtained. The body of the can ( 1 ) is transported ( 2 ) for equipment ( 3 ) and, via a transport system with endless screw ( 4 ), which rotates synchronously, by means of gears ( 5 ), with the star input ( 6 ) via cardan shaft ( 14 ) and angled gearbox ( 15 ). By means of gears ( 8 ), the can body ( 1 ) is transferred to the expansion station ( 7 ), input by the star ( 6 ), where the expansion takes place the can body in two parts ( 1 ). Using this same type of synchronism, by means of gears ( 10  and  11 ), the can body is transferred expanded, the station ( 7 ) for a conveyor belt exit ( 13 ) by means of a star outlet ( 9 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage entry of PCT/BR2011/000154 filed May 6, 2011, under the International Convention claiming priority over Brazilian Patent Application No. PI1001904-9 filed Jun. 2, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This descriptive report refers to an expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, which are designed more specifically for the production of two-piece cans, composed of body and lid, with the most varied shapes of bodies, also allowing material savings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, proposed herein, may be used in the production of two-piece cans for several purposes, such as, food, beverages and others, and may employ various materials such as steel and aluminum.

The expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, proposed herein, enables the expansion of the can body in two parts, allowing the conformation of can in various forms and enabling the use of the various expansion processes employing mandrel, nuts, rulers, calipers, compressed air, water, oil, among others, mostly placed on the can body, which expands until it obtains the format desired, always with increasing initial diameter of the can body, in order to increase the volumetric capacity of the can and generating material savings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Already known to the state of the art are some types of processes for obtaining expanded bodies of tins, with or without narrowing their ends, for example, process of the type “expansion by mandrel” “spin flow shaping”, “hydro forming or Pascal”, “blow forming”, “rheoforming” and others, however, no expansion process was employed to date in the expansion of two-piece cans, comprising body and cover, for high speeds.

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome all the difficulties associated with techniques, was idealized the present, expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs which refers to an extremely simple, efficient and economical process.

The expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, now proposed, consists in to enabling the expansion of metal packaging in two parts and provide the creation of various forms and conformations of the can body in two parts.

Among the advantages offered by this expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, we highlight the material savings because it allows smaller diameter from the body of the can and expand shaping of the can body generating material savings of about 3%. These savings may vary up or down depending on the conformation of the can body i_(3/9)

parts.

The expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, now proposed, can be adapted for various types of expansion processes, and can use the isolated or integrated operator station into the production line of the two parts can, enabling the production of the most varied shapes and sizes of bodies of two-piece cans, irrespective of the raw material used to manufacture the can.

The expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, proposed herein, enables, through the expansion of the body of the can, creating countless ways for two parts cans, which until now was not possible. This is an innovation, especially for beverages in general, such as beer and soft drinks and other commodities packaged in two pieces cans that are becoming increasingly similar. The expanded two parts can, will be an important tool to distinguish them through new forms (shape), layout and design. A feature that will differentiate one brand from another, placing an attractive to the brand and increase its value through its identity.

Among the innovative features of the expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, now proposed for conformation, by expanding the body of the can, there is the fact the process being done at a station, which may be performed prior to tin refile, or cutting the surplus from top of the can, and refile or after the formation of the neck and flange the can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to allow clear visualization of the differentiation between the conventional process of producing a tin of two pieces of steel or aluminum and tin this same conformation of two parts, the relatively expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, proposed herein, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which the production process of the conventional two-piece tin is represented by the letter “A”, the expansion process, sometimes proposed for forming the can body of two parts, before refile tin, represented by the letter “B”; the production process of the conventional two piece canister is represented by the letter “C” and the process of expanding and forming the two parts tin body, and formation refile after the neck and flange of the can, is represented by the letter “D”.

FIG. 1A—illustrates the feeding coil and cutting and stamping the cup;

FIG. 2A—illustrates the stage of embossing tin and formation background;

FIG. 3A—illustrates the stage with the bottom of the can already formed;

FIG. 4A—illustrates the stage of cutting the surplus refile the top of the can;

FIG. 5A—illustrates the stage of the can after the cutting operation and refile of the top of the can;

FIG. 6A—illustrates the stage where decoration in the can is printed;

FIG. 7A—shows the stage of forming the neck and flange in a can and the end of the manufacturing process of a conventional two-piece can;

FIG. 1B—illustration of the power coils and cutting and stamping the cup;

FIG. 2B—illustrates the stage of embossing tin and background formation;

FIG. 3B—illustrates the stage with the bottom of the can already formed;

FIG. 4B—illustrates the stage of expansion process for forming the can body of two parts, before refile the top of the can.

FIG. 5B—illustrates the stage of cutting the surplus refile the top of the can;

FIG. 6B—shows the stage of the can after the cutting operation and refile the top of the can;

FIG. 7B—shows the stage where the can is printed decoration; 5/9

FIG. 8B-shows the stage of forming the neck and flange in a can and the end of the manufacturing process of an expanded can with the can body forming two parts;

FIG. 1C—illustration of the power coils and cutting and stamping the cup;

FIG. 2C—illustrates the stage of embossing tin and background formation;

FIG. 3C—illustrates the stage with the bottom of the can already formed;

FIG. 4C—illustrates the stage of cutting the surplus refile the top of the can;

FIG. 5C—illustrates the stage of the can after the cutting operation and refile the top of the can;

FIG. 6C—shows the stage where the can is printed decoration;

FIG. 7C—illustrates the stage of forming the neck and flange in a can and the end of the manufacturing process of a conventional two-piece can;

FIG. 1D—illustrating the power coils and cutting and stamping the cup;

FIG. 2D—illustrates the stage of embossing tin and formation background;

FIG. 3D—illustrates the stage with the bottom of the can already formed;

FIG. 4D—illustrates the stage of cutting the surplus refile the top of the can;

FIG. 5D—illustrates the stage of the can after the cutting operation and refile the top of the can;

FIG. 6D—illustrates the stage where the can is printed decoration;

FIG. 7D—illustrates the stage of forming the neck and flange in a can and the end of the manufacturing process of a conventional two-piece can;

FIG. 8D—illustrates the stage of expansion process for forming the can body of two parts, after refile the top of the can and formation of neck and flange in a can.

FIG. 9B—shows a schematic view of a frame of production stages and expansion of tin two parts, before the refile of the upper container;

FIG. 9D—shows a schematic view of a frame of production stages and expansion of tin two parts, and formation refile after the neck and flange in a can;

FIG. 10—shows a side view of the star transfer responsible for displacement of the can body in two parts along the expansion station and conformation.

FIG. 11—illustrates a side view of the kinematic chain of the machine expander bodies of two-piece cans illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12—shows a view in detail of the conveyor drive worm station conformation;

INVENTION PREFERRED CONSTRUCTIVENESS

FIGS. 1A-7A and 1C-7C illustrate the stages of usual processes already known in the art for the manufacture of two-piece cans, while FIGS. 1B-8B and 1D-8D illustrate the processes for manufacturing two pieces cans that adopt the expansion process for conformation of two parts metal packs, and expansion process equipment for conformation of two parts metal packs, proposed herein, which can prove the savings generated by the adoption of the expansion process illustrated in FIGS. 1B-8B and 1D-8D, when compared to the conventional process shown in FIGS. 1A-7A and 1C-7C, with respect to the use and economy of raw material, which has on the order of approximately 3%, which is considerable, if the measured absolute number of cans produced, and this economy is due to the increased volume of the can bodies after expansion.

Among the innovative features of this process, illustrated in FIGS. 1B-8B and 1D-8D we highlight the possibility of creating many ways to form two-piece cans, which until now was not possible. This diversification of forms and presentations will enable the creation and exposure of the identity of the product in the market, enabling print marks, signs and other forms of low or high relief that identify the product in the shape of the tin.

Another feature is the ability to create reliefs and indicative for the visually impaired, which may be guided by embossing or by the identity of the product, through the forms adopted in the body of the can.

The processes illustrated in FIGS. 1B-8B and 1D-8D use expansion systems, which may be through mandrel, nuts, ruler, calipers, compressed air, water and oil among others, which obtain the expanded can, together with the production of two parts can is performed in six stages or operations, using specific equipment for expansion operation, which may be interconnected or not in the production.

The first stage, which is feeding the coils and cutting and stamping the tin cup, as shown in (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) are the same for all processes.

The second stage, which occurs the tin stamping and background formation, shown in (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), are also the same for all processes. After forming the bottom of the can (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D), the processes are distinguished, namely, in the conventional process represented by FIGS. 1A-7A in the third stage is the cutting of the excess top of the can which the tin refile is made (FIG. 4A).

In the third stage of the process 1B-8B starts the process of expansion of the can body in two parts, the system chosen (FIG. 4B), this operation is not envisaged in the process 1A-7A.

In the fourth stage of the process 1A-7A is done the decoration of the can (FIG. 6A), while in 1B-8B occurs the cutting of the excess top of the can which tin refile is made (FIG. 5B).

In the fifth stage of the process 1A-7A is performed the process of forming the neck and flange in a can (FIG. 7A), finishing operations, while in case 1B-8B is done decoration of the can (FIG. 7B).

In the sixth process stage 1B-8B is performed the process of forming the neck and flange in a can (FIG. 8B), finishing operations.

In the process 1C-7C, the third stage is intended to cut the surplus from top of the can, i.e. the tin refile (FIG. 4C), and the process 1D-8D, the third stage also occurs tin refile (FIG. 4D).

The fourth process stage 1C-7C, the decoration of tin is made (FIG. 6C), whereas in case 1D-8D in the fourth stage is also made the decoration (FIG. 6D).

In the fifth stage of the process 1C-7C performs the formation of the neck and the can flange (FIG. 7C), finishing operations.

In the fifth stage of the process 1D-8D is also performed forming of neck and flange of the can (FIG. 7D), and then sent to the expansion station.

In the sixth stage of the process 1D-8D starts the process of expansion of the can body in two parts (FIG. 8D) chosen by the system, this operation is not under process 1C-7C.

After performing the first and second stage, where there are cutting, printing and embossing operations of the cup of the can and the can body formatting of two parts in case 1B-8B, shown by (FIG. 4B), and occur after the fifth stage, operation and formation of the neck flange in the can in case 1D-8D, demonstrated by (FIG. 8D), the can body (1) is transported via the transport system (2) to the entrance of the machine (3).

From this stage, begins the process of expansion of the can body (1), through the chosen system, which enters the machine through a system of transport auger (4), which rotates synchronously by means of gears (5) with the inlet star (6) via cardan shaft (14) and angled gearbox (15), and through this timing, the can body (1) is transferred from the auger (4) to the inlet star (6) which are lined up one being accepted by a machine, and through this same timing, by means of gears (8), the can body (1) is transferred to the expansion station (7), this transfer occurs from the inlet star (6) to the expansion station (7) accurately, both of which rotate around its own axis, which allows the admission of the can body individually and continuously, and this station (7) expansion occurs where the can body acquires its final shape, which can vary depending on the system used and tooling (12), and, through this same type of synchronism, by means of gears (10 and 11), the can body is transferred expanded, the station (7) for a conveyor belt exit (13) by means of a star outlet (9) which revolves around its own axis but in the opposite direction to the station (7), which allows the removal of the can body, properly shaped, in a continuous, individual, continuing the process of manufacturing cans through stages successors.

The timing system used in the equipment consists of wheels on the bottom or side of each of the corresponding axes, and to the worm (4) corresponds the gear (5); to the inlet star (6) gear (8); for expansion station (7) a gear (10) to the outlet star (9) gear (11), which are driven by an electric gear motor which engages in its gear shaft (5), transmits movement through the intermediate gear (16), which can be the side or bottom of the machine base, and this timing works submerged in an oil bath, lubricating all equipment.

As shown, the station (7) is responsible for the expansion of the can body and its conformation, which occurs through specific tooling for this purpose.

We emphasize that all sets and existing devices onto this device can be arranged both vertically and horizontally, which allows the entire processing of the can body from its transport, occurs vertically or horizontally.

Although detailed the invention, it is important to stress that it does not limit its application to the details and stages described. The invention is capable of other modes and being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. The terminology used has the scope of mere discretion and not limitation. 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. An expansion process for conformation of two pieces metal cans, comprising the steps of: producing the two-piece cans, the two piece cans including a body and a cover; expanding the two piece cans by placing the body through an expansion mandrel to created an expanded can; each body expands until reaching a predetermined form.
 15. The process according to claim 14, wherein the body expands to at least one geometric form increasing a volumetric capacity of the two piece can.
 16. The process according to claim 14, wherein the body is made of sheets of steel or aluminum.
 17. The process according to claim 14, wherein the expanded can includes at least one of print marks, signs, or sign language.
 18. The process according to claim 14, wherein the expanding step is being performed in an independent station, the expanding step is perform prior to a refile the two piece can or after formation of a neck and a flange of the two piece can.
 19. The process according to claim 14, wherein the expanding step includes six stages.
 20. An expansion equipment for conformation of two pieces metal cans comprising: an expansion device including an auger system including an endless screw that rotates synchronously with an expansion station by using a gear device, an inlet start having a cardan shaft, and an angled gearbox; the two pieces metal can including a body and a cover, the body is transported through the expansion device to expand to a predetermined form.
 21. The equipment according to claim 20, wherein the body is transferred from the auger system to the inlet start through the synchronized system where the bodies are lined and being accepted by the synchronized system one by one.
 22. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein by using the gear devices, the body is transferred to the expansion device from the start inlet, the inlet start and the expansion device rotate around separate axis, allowing the admission of the bodies in a continuous manner and one by one.
 23. The equipment according to claim 22, wherein by using the angled gearbox the expanded can is transferred from the expansion device through an output conveyor, through an outlet start which revolves around its own axis, but in opposite direction to the rotation of the expansion device, which allows the removal of the expanded can in a continuous, individual, continuing the process.
 24. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the synchronized system includes wheels on the bottom or side of each of the corresponding axes and gears, which are driven by an electric motor.
 25. The equipment according to claim 22, wherein the system is arranged vertically.
 26. The equipment according to claim 22, wherein the system is arranged horizontally. 